In the late 1960’s the Solihull Ice Rink in Hobbs Moat Road not only used to have a resident organist and play records, but also booked bands.
As roadie for Ultra Sound, I worked a 6 week run there. Our normal equipment was 100 watt Park amps with numerous 4×12 Park speaker cabinets, but on our first visit there Brain Whittle, the lead guitarist had taken a borrowed Vox AC30 with him as his 100 watt amp had developed a fault. We had not anticipated the very strange acoustics an ice rink has, and had to very quickly take steps to mike up the AC30 through the PA, otherwise we would have appeared to be without a lead guitar at all.
Used to go ice-skating there, riding from Coventry on my Lambretta scooter. My regular haunt was the Silver Blades in Birmingham but once I discovered the Solihull rink, I went there quite a few times as it was much closer.
I skated at Solihull in the mid late sixties….it was, maybe, the first time I’d ever seen a live band….and led to a lifetime involvement in music. In a BBC documentary I saw last night about “Northern Soul” the first number they played was a Martha and the Vandellas number “Heatwave” …they talked about how the people of Manchester discovered these forgotten songs from old American labels in the mid-seventies….One band in particular played all these wonderful songs…we went home and learned them in imitation of that band………….Who were they…?????
Do you know Barry…?????
Anyone remember at Solihull Ice Rink Charity fund raiser featuring The Move, Led Zeppelin, (only John Bonham turned up) and other local musicians! Five a side in the afternoon followed by e Evening Gig! Date late sixties 68/69 ish?
Yes. I was begging to think I dreamt this. For some reason I always had the idea it was something to do with B.C.F.C. Didn’t the Idle Race play as well. My memory is hazy,and every one I’ve spoken to can’t remember it. I seem to remember it was pretty weird. Bad sound and people skating round and round in s circle.
In 1968-69 I saw Johnny Johnson and The Bandwagon and also Tommy James & The Shondelles and also The Grumbleweeds. I vaguely remember The Equals (Eddie Grant) either there or at Silver Blades B’ham.
In 1968-69 I saw Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon (Breaking Down The Walls of Heartache), Tommy James & The Shondelles (Crimson & Clover). I remember seeing The Equals there (lead singer Eddie Grant) or was that one at Silver Blades, B’ham?
In the late 1960’s the Solihull Ice Rink in Hobbs Moat Road not only used to have a resident organist and play records, but also booked bands.
As roadie for Ultra Sound, I worked a 6 week run there. Our normal equipment was 100 watt Park amps with numerous 4×12 Park speaker cabinets, but on our first visit there Brain Whittle, the lead guitarist had taken a borrowed Vox AC30 with him as his 100 watt amp had developed a fault. We had not anticipated the very strange acoustics an ice rink has, and had to very quickly take steps to mike up the AC30 through the PA, otherwise we would have appeared to be without a lead guitar at all.
The sound in there was horrible.
Used to go ice-skating there, riding from Coventry on my Lambretta scooter. My regular haunt was the Silver Blades in Birmingham but once I discovered the Solihull rink, I went there quite a few times as it was much closer.
I skated at Solihull in the mid late sixties….it was, maybe, the first time I’d ever seen a live band….and led to a lifetime involvement in music. In a BBC documentary I saw last night about “Northern Soul” the first number they played was a Martha and the Vandellas number “Heatwave” …they talked about how the people of Manchester discovered these forgotten songs from old American labels in the mid-seventies….One band in particular played all these wonderful songs…we went home and learned them in imitation of that band………….Who were they…?????
Do you know Barry…?????
Anyone remember at Solihull Ice Rink Charity fund raiser featuring The Move, Led Zeppelin, (only John Bonham turned up) and other local musicians! Five a side in the afternoon followed by e Evening Gig! Date late sixties 68/69 ish?
Yes. I was begging to think I dreamt this. For some reason I always had the idea it was something to do with B.C.F.C. Didn’t the Idle Race play as well. My memory is hazy,and every one I’ve spoken to can’t remember it. I seem to remember it was pretty weird. Bad sound and people skating round and round in s circle.
Rink was boarded over for five a side, then in the evening crowd stood on it! Did Paul Jones play harmonica that evening?
In 1968-69 I saw Johnny Johnson and The Bandwagon and also Tommy James & The Shondelles and also The Grumbleweeds. I vaguely remember The Equals (Eddie Grant) either there or at Silver Blades B’ham.
In 1968-69 I saw Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon (Breaking Down The Walls of Heartache), Tommy James & The Shondelles (Crimson & Clover). I remember seeing The Equals there (lead singer Eddie Grant) or was that one at Silver Blades, B’ham?